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Use of rubber gromets - and good material type

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  • Use of rubber gromets - and good material type

    This may sound like a strange subject, but years ago a friend at another site that worked for Ford sent me a box of grommets. plugs, etc (all shapes and sizes) use by Ford to assemble trucks (back in 2004 or there about). He has since passed and I am down to a scarce few in the box.

    In doing the frame check I noticed no grommets of any type were used for any frame penetrations. The ones I was given are double sided with a grove in the outside center to grip the material being penetrated and open center. They were a soft rubber - not stiff. To install you could easily fold over to insert and fit. In looking for a replacement kit I am finding a lot of China stuff not labeled as to material. In fact most sources don't mention material or specifications.

    I also want to use them for penetrations in the coroplast too and have the ability to unplug the wires when I take it down. I think most of the existing holes I have are 3/4" or less and for the coroplast I will go as small as possible for a tight wire fit. For the wiring inside the frame I was going to get some scrap split loom and tape/glue it in place in the large cross member openings. Having the full belly open will make this easy.

    So what brands are good and what material type should I be looking for. I want something soft and durable that wont crumble with age if that is even possible. Does anyone know what Ford or the other folks use. They seem to last a while.

    Thanks for any help on this

    Keith
    2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

  • #2
    I think most if not all grommets are made of the same material, a soft buna type rubber, more than likely there will not be any special materials unless they are ordered for a particular set of circumstances, oily locations, high heat and so on. One problem you may encounter is the proper size for the thickness of material that you are putting the grommet in, like the coroplast being about 1/4" thick you will have to find a grommet that has a groove that will accept that.

    Brian
    Brian & Michelle
    2018 Reflection 29RS
    2022 Chevy 3500HD

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    • #3
      Keith, something like https://www.amazon.com/Brexxty-Pack-...s%2C112&sr=8-6 ?
      Joseph
      Tow
      Vehicle: 2024 GMC K3500 Denali Ultimate Diesel
      Coach: 303RLS Delivered March 5, 2021
      South of Houston Texas

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      • #4
        Thanks Brian and Joseph
        Brian you hit on something I had not thought much about, The web, the 2x2 box beam and coroplast are about 1/8" think (coroplast compressed) so I just ran a search on thick material grommets and got this hit https://rubber-grommet.com/grommet-size-chart/ They appear to have a wide selection, but don't list pricing so I will try to contact them next week.

        You guys are great - Thanks

        Keith

        On edit
        Now that I know what I am actually looking for I found the following sources (some I have used before) - just need to determine the sizes I need and price. The last has some to fit holes with existing wiring (split). Most even give a choice of materials.

        https://www.grainger.com/category/ha...ubber-grommets
        https://www.marcorubber.com/rubber-grommets.htm
        https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tn/...&navid=2108902
        https://heyco-products.com/en/bushin...r-grommets-407
        https://www.waytekwire.com/products/...hickness=-125-
        https://wiringproducts.com/collectio...ubber-grommets
        https://www.motion.com/products/Faci...dware/Grommets
        https://www.heyco.com/Hole_Plugs/pro...ubber-Grommets
        https://www.mcmaster.com/grommets/
        Hope this helps others
        Last edited by Yoda; 01-06-2023, 10:36 PM.
        2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

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        • #5
          Yoda, see what Lewis Merchantile has in Bayfield.
          Ted
          2021 Reflection 310RLS
          2020 F350 PS,CC,LB,SRW

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          • #6
            Originally posted by TedS View Post
            Yoda, see what Lewis Merchantile has in Bayfield.
            Thanks I had not thought of that.
            2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Jlawles2 View Post
              This may be good quality O rings, but I bought a similar kit at Harbour Freight and the O rings were very hard and difficult to work with. This is probably a "get what you pay for deal" as with much of the hardware being sold today. I would think Grainger (or some of the other sources mentioned above) would sell a better product.
              2020 Reflection 273MK
              2005 Dodge Ram 2500 CTD

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              • #8
                Update
                Its tough to find ones the will work with 1/8* steel (thickness of GD cross bracing and the wall of my new sub frame). Most assortments on Amazon wont fit and the don't say what rubber they use. They need to be outdoor rated too, so EDPM is the material I think I need.
                I found this set https://www.mcmaster.com/3547N11/ Its EDPM and will fit up to 1/8" thick material. While prices are a bit more expensive, I know what I am getting and the have good customer service. It also appears like a good selection of usable sizes, especially for one or two 10 gauge wires, etc.

                Thoughts?

                Keith
                2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Most rubber grommets are NBR, a nitrile compound. EPDM is a good alternative.
                  Ted
                  2021 Reflection 310RLS
                  2020 F350 PS,CC,LB,SRW

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                  • #10
                    Update
                    After looking around I picked up an assortment from https://www.mcmaster.com/grommets/. They arrived a few days ago and appear to be perfect for my needs.
                    Keith
                    2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

                    Comment

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